Anyone else disillusioned with the whole process?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:IMO,
HRCS are Overrated with unexperienced, young teachers that have no classroom management. At first parents are happy to see a room of diverse faces but it quickly crumbles when parents have high demands and teachers don't have the tools to communicate or truly differentiate in the classroom. If you talk to anyone in detail at a HRCS, you will find a disgruntled, unfilled parent and school experience.

My advice is to find schools with a solid teaching staff. In Elementary, your child will flourish in most any environment - solid teachers are the key. In Middle school, you need to look at their peers. Teachers probably have less of an influence because of their peers so choose wisely.

For now pick a school where your children will be cared for and plan carefully for Middle school.

I agree with this post but the middle school feeder patterns make it hard to not be worried in PK.

Totally in agreement. Focus on good teachers for ES. Peers for MS.
I am now facing HS "choices". Any advice, PPs?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, as a parent to another early elementary AA child and lottery veteran, I empathize. What school is your child in now, and what general area do you live in? Based on this, perhaps we could give some realistic suggestions.

DC is at Appletree. PK3, we didn't love it--it was a little too rigid and we felt like it stifled DC a bit. It may have been partly due to the teachers and partly due to the Appletree model being a bit too much for a 3 year old. This year, however, DC has had excellent teachers and it's been much more age appropriate in our view.

We live Petworth/Brightwood Park. I work downtown and DH works in MoCo so we would love Shepherd. I just don't know if its realistic with so few spots. I would also love Inspired Teaching, but honestly who wouldn't?

PP here--we actually really liked Appletree CH when we toured a few years ago--kids and staff seemed happy, and liked their evidence-based approach to educational outcomes. Ultimately, we ranked our IB (Shepherd) first. Actually, plenty of folks from your neighborhood send their kids to Shepherd, and there should be a few spaces available, so I'd list it for K. You never know. Sounds like it would work great for commutes, too.

As for ITS, I also liked their philosophy and we enjoyed that tour too. We have friends (also AA) that loved the school at first, but found that it didn't meet their kids' needs after a few years. Of course, this was a few years ago, so info is dated, and I would still list it--you can always do more research if your kids get in.

In addition to Shepherd, what else would people suggest as schools with a reasonable chance of getting in and good fit for OP--Takoma? West?

PP again, and a couple more thoughts--would you consider language immersion schools if you can support it? Might be some additional options there.

Also, I know you said that you just selected a few options, but I would use all 12 options. Might as well maximize chances with a good mix of long shots and safeties, since it's your kid's third year in the lottery. I would want to give a college effort one last time before considering other options, like moving to a Deal/Hardy feeder, trying for private/parochial, or moving to MD.

Good luck!

OP here, I'm super risk averse when it comes to my kids education. So, I'm using all the 12 options. Here they are:

Mann
Eaton
Hyde Addison
Shepherd
Ludlow-Taylor
El Haynes
Yu Ying
Inspired Teaching
Two Rivers
Lee Montessori
Breakthrough
Mundo Verde at 8th

Hmm. You don't exactly have a safety on here, do you. I guess you know that and will use your IB? Which is what?

I would take off some of the super long shots at the top and maybe consider something like Takoma or West. But that is not knowing your IB.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, as a parent to another early elementary AA child and lottery veteran, I empathize. What school is your child in now, and what general area do you live in? Based on this, perhaps we could give some realistic suggestions.

DC is at Appletree. PK3, we didn't love it--it was a little too rigid and we felt like it stifled DC a bit. It may have been partly due to the teachers and partly due to the Appletree model being a bit too much for a 3 year old. This year, however, DC has had excellent teachers and it's been much more age appropriate in our view.

We live Petworth/Brightwood Park. I work downtown and DH works in MoCo so we would love Shepherd. I just don't know if its realistic with so few spots. I would also love Inspired Teaching, but honestly who wouldn't?

PP here--we actually really liked Appletree CH when we toured a few years ago--kids and staff seemed happy, and liked their evidence-based approach to educational outcomes. Ultimately, we ranked our IB (Shepherd) first. Actually, plenty of folks from your neighborhood send their kids to Shepherd, and there should be a few spaces available, so I'd list it for K. You never know. Sounds like it would work great for commutes, too.

As for ITS, I also liked their philosophy and we enjoyed that tour too. We have friends (also AA) that loved the school at first, but found that it didn't meet their kids' needs after a few years. Of course, this was a few years ago, so info is dated, and I would still list it--you can always do more research if your kids get in.

In addition to Shepherd, what else would people suggest as schools with a reasonable chance of getting in and good fit for OP--Takoma? West?

PP again, and a couple more thoughts--would you consider language immersion schools if you can support it? Might be some additional options there.

Also, I know you said that you just selected a few options, but I would use all 12 options. Might as well maximize chances with a good mix of long shots and safeties, since it's your kid's third year in the lottery. I would want to give a college effort one last time before considering other options, like moving to a Deal/Hardy feeder, trying for private/parochial, or moving to MD.

Good luck!

OP here, I'm super risk averse when it comes to my kids education. So, I'm using all the 12 options. Here they are:

Mann
Eaton
Hyde Addison
Shepherd
Ludlow-Taylor
El Haynes
Yu Ying
Inspired Teaching
Two Rivers
Lee Montessori
Breakthrough
Mundo Verde at 8th

Hmm. You don't exactly have a safety on here, do you. I guess you know that and will use your IB? Which is what?

I would take off some of the super long shots at the top and maybe consider something like Takoma or West. But that is not knowing your IB.

I sorta did even though I've sorta convinced myself that Breakthrough is a safety. Truesdell is my neighborhood. Should I add West? My understanding is that it's like impossible to get into West.

[Anonymous]

Nothing is a safety if you have a bad number.

Would you be ok with Truesdell for K? Honestly I think it's a better option than MV (which has had bumpy management) in a brand new location.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, as a parent to another early elementary AA child and lottery veteran, I empathize. What school is your child in now, and what general area do you live in? Based on this, perhaps we could give some realistic suggestions.

DC is at Appletree. PK3, we didn't love it--it was a little too rigid and we felt like it stifled DC a bit. It may have been partly due to the teachers and partly due to the Appletree model being a bit too much for a 3 year old. This year, however, DC has had excellent teachers and it's been much more age appropriate in our view.

We live Petworth/Brightwood Park. I work downtown and DH works in MoCo so we would love Shepherd. I just don't know if its realistic with so few spots. I would also love Inspired Teaching, but honestly who wouldn't?

PP here--we actually really liked Appletree CH when we toured a few years ago--kids and staff seemed happy, and liked their evidence-based approach to educational outcomes. Ultimately, we ranked our IB (Shepherd) first. Actually, plenty of folks from your neighborhood send their kids to Shepherd, and there should be a few spaces available, so I'd list it for K. You never know. Sounds like it would work great for commutes, too.

As for ITS, I also liked their philosophy and we enjoyed that tour too. We have friends (also AA) that loved the school at first, but found that it didn't meet their kids' needs after a few years. Of course, this was a few years ago, so info is dated, and I would still list it--you can always do more research if your kids get in.

In addition to Shepherd, what else would people suggest as schools with a reasonable chance of getting in and good fit for OP--Takoma? West?

PP again, and a couple more thoughts--would you consider language immersion schools if you can support it? Might be some additional options there.

Also, I know you said that you just selected a few options, but I would use all 12 options. Might as well maximize chances with a good mix of long shots and safeties, since it's your kid's third year in the lottery. I would want to give a college effort one last time before considering other options, like moving to a Deal/Hardy feeder, trying for private/parochial, or moving to MD.

Good luck!

OP here, I'm super risk averse when it comes to my kids education. So, I'm using all the 12 options. Here they are:

Mann
Eaton
Hyde Addison
Shepherd
Ludlow-Taylor
El Haynes
Yu Ying
Inspired Teaching
Two Rivers
Lee Montessori
Breakthrough
Mundo Verde at 8th

Hmm. You don't exactly have a safety on here, do you. I guess you know that and will use your IB? Which is what?

I would take off some of the super long shots at the top and maybe consider something like Takoma or West. But that is not knowing your IB.

I sorta did even though I've sorta convinced myself that Breakthrough is a safety. Truesdell is my neighborhood. Should I add West? My understanding is that it's like impossible to get into West.

Not sure re West. Seems like Truesdell could be fine then as a safety. Might consider Bridges?

[Anonymous]

^^ OP said IB is Truesdell

[Anonymous]

OP, I think West cleared their waitlist in K last year. It looks to me like Seaton and Thomson and HD Cooke also cleared their lists or came close to it.

There are strong EOTP DCPS schools that you can get into at K, depending on your commute needs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I think West cleared their waitlist in K last year. It looks to me like Seaton and Thomson and HD Cooke also cleared their lists or came close to it.

There are strong EOTP DCPS schools that you can get into at K, depending on your commute needs.

Thomson and HD Cooke look great. I’ll sub them in instead of Lee and Mundo Verde

[Anonymous]

Also consider Whittier for IB. It’s often overlooked on this board but I really felt like it was a loving environment when I went on the tour. Wouldn’t be upset if we land there at all. (PK3 is what I focused on)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP I’m in the same boat but just starting with PK3. We are AA as well and your concerns are in line with ours. I’ve had to come to the realization that a move outside to neighboring counties might just be what happens with us in a few years.

We are also AA and planning to de-camp to Howard County before 3rd grade.

My DC had terrible lottery numbers 3 years in a row. We had the same plan to flee when he was a toddler. Fortunately that third year there was a lot of waitlist movement and we finally lucked into a school that has been fantastic for my DC by every measure. As early as 1st grade the school did pullouts for children that were ahead academically. He has other opportunities that I never had growing up. Also there are children who look like him that are also succeeding and push him to work even harder. I played the lottery for 1st and 2nd (because I’m paranoid like that) and did get into several of our former top choices both years. Turned them down and my oldest will be in 4th next year. Who knows, we still may head to the suburbs, but frankly most suburban schools haven’t exactly mastered achievement gap issues either.

It’s tough and this process sucks, but just wanted to give you guys some hope.

Can you share where your DC is now?

[Anonymous]

There is no magic here. Just people.

[Anonymous]

I think Breakthrough is likely accurate as a "safety" school as they had openings in the fall this year. Although every year gets harder. But as someone else said, nothing is guaranteed if you have a bad number unless you're zoned for an early action PK or you're lotterying in bound at K.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:IMO,
HRCS are Overrated with unexperienced, young teachers that have no classroom management. At first parents are happy to see a room of diverse faces but it quickly crumbles when parents have high demands and teachers don't have the tools to communicate or truly differentiate in the classroom. If you talk to anyone in detail at a HRCS, you will find a disgruntled, unfilled parent and school experience.

My advice is to find schools with a solid teaching staff. In Elementary, your child will flourish in most any environment - solid teachers are the key. In Middle school, you need to look at their peers. Teachers probably have less of an influence because of their peers so choose wisely.

For now pick a school where your children will be cared for and plan carefully for Middle school.

I agree with this post but the middle school feeder patterns make it hard to not be worried in PK.

Totally in agreement. Focus on good teachers for ES. Peers for MS.
I am now facing HS "choices". Any advice, PPs?

Assume you'd be applying for 19-20 or later?

I'd try application schools first -- SWW, Ellington, McKinley and Banneker are all good. Only SWW and Ellington are hard to get into.

For charters I would consider Cap City, Latin (longest of long shots). Bard is worth keeping an eye on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think Breakthrough is likely accurate as a "safety" school as they had openings in the fall this year. Although every year gets harder. But as someone else said, nothing is guaranteed if you have a bad number unless you're zoned for an early action PK or you're lotterying in bound at K.

Breakthrough was also tier three.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:IMO,
HRCS are Overrated with unexperienced, young teachers that have no classroom management. At first parents are happy to see a room of diverse faces but it quickly crumbles when parents have high demands and teachers don't have the tools to communicate or truly differentiate in the classroom. If you talk to anyone in detail at a HRCS, you will find a disgruntled, unfilled parent and school experience.

My advice is to find schools with a solid teaching staff. In Elementary, your child will flourish in most any environment - solid teachers are the key. In Middle school, you need to look at their peers. Teachers probably have less of an influence because of their peers so choose wisely.

For now pick a school where your children will be cared for and plan carefully for Middle school.

I agree with this post but the middle school feeder patterns make it hard to not be worried in PK.

Totally in agreement. Focus on good teachers for ES. Peers for MS.
I am now facing HS "choices". Any advice, PPs?

Assume you'd be applying for 19-20 or later?

I'd try application schools first -- SWW, Ellington, McKinley and Banneker are all good. Only SWW and Ellington are hard to get into.

For charters I would consider Cap City, Latin (longest of long shots). Bard is worth keeping an eye on.

Thanks. Yes, applying for 19-20.
What about Wilson?